The Message Box

Communicating Your Science Effectively

https://www.compassscicomm.org/the-message-box-workbook



Principles of Science Communication

  • Know Your Audience
  • Frame Your Message
  • Lead With Results
  • Avoid Jargon

Know Your Audience


Frame Your Message

Lead With Results


Avoid Jargon


The Message Box


The Message Box

Know Your Audience

Section 1: The Issue

  • Describes the overarching issue or topic: Big Picture
  • Broad enough to cover key points
  • Specific enough to set up what's to come
  • Concise and clear
  • “Frames” the rest of the message box

Section 2: The Problem

  • The part of the broader issue that your work is addressing
  • Builds upon your work and expert knowledge
  • Try to focus on one problem per audience
  • Often the Problem is your research question
  • This section sets you up for So What

Section 3: The "So What?"

  • This is the crux of the message box
  • Why should you audience care?
  • What about your research is important for them to know?
  • Whay are you talking to them about it?

Section 4: The Solution

  • Outlines the options for solving the Problem
  • Can your audience influence or act upon this?
  • There may be multiple solutions
  • Make sure your Solution relates back to the Problem. Edit one or both as needed

Section 5: The Benefit

  • What are the benefits of addressing the Problem?
  • What good things come from implementing your Solution?
  • Make sure it connects with you So What
  • Benefits and So What may be similar

Make Your Message Memorable

  • Support your message with data
  • Limit the use of numbers and statistics
  • Use specific examples
  • Compare numbers to concepts, help people relate
  • Don't use jargon
  • Lead with what you know

The Message Box